Range structure



L. E. MENDEL ET AL RANGE STRUCTURE May 29, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1946 who/0Q 44 ////i /////AIY May 29, 1951- 1.. E. \MENDEL ET AL RANGE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20, 1946 Patented May 29, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RANGE STRUCTURE Application April 20, 1946, Serial No. 663,720

8 Claims. (Cl. 126-39) This invention relates to a range structure, and more particularly to a range structure in which grates are supported above burners in a range top and in which the grate is moved with respect to the top.

An object of the invention is to provide a range structure equipped with grates in the burner openings of a range top and in which fluid-operated means are employed for varying the distance between the grates and the range top. Yet another object is to provide such a structure in which hydraulic means are employed in the lifting operation, such means being accessible from the front portion of the range. A further object is to provide such a range structure in which the fluid-operated mechanism employs the gaseous mixture used as fuel for the burners as the pressure medium. A further object is to provide fluid-operated mechanism for the lifting of a disk grate above a burner opening in combination with releasable latching means for latching the grate or disk in its elevated position. Yet another object is to provide in combination with a plurality of burners and grates over the burners, a fluid motor for simultaneously lifting all of the grates, the fluid motor being operated from a point exterior of the range interior. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a range embodying our invention; Fig. 2, a plan sectional view on an enlarged scale, the section being taken with the range top removed but with the disks in place; Fig. 3, a broken vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4, an enlarged detail sectional View, the section being taken as indicated at line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a plan view of a locking structure shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 6, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 6-6 of Fig. 2; Fig. '7, a broken plan sectional view of a modified form of the invention; and Fig. 8, a broken vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 7.

In the illustrations given in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, l designates a range casing and H a range top. The top II is provided with burner openings I 2.

Supported below the burner openings l2 in the range top H and in alignment therewith are the burners l3 of the usual construction. The

burners are supplied with gas or other fuel through the manifold M and other connecting tubes l5. An air mixer valve It is provided for each of the ducts l5 and is controlled by a regulating knob or handle IT. A pilot tube l8 leads to the constantly burning pilot burner [9. Within the manifold I4 is a valve 2!] controlled by a valve plunger 2 I.

Supported in the burner openings l2 and preferably flush with the range top H are grates 22 which may be in the form of disks or in any other desired form. The grates 22 are supported by rods 23 fixed to the ends of the diagonal strips 24. The diagonal strips 24 are connected by a square frame 25 which provides a bracing structure for the strips 24. A laterally-extending strip 26 is equipped at its end with a pin 2'! engaging a perforation in the pivoted lever 28. The lever 28 is secured at its opposite end to the valve plunger 2| and is pivoted at an intermediate point upon bracket 29.

The frame provided by the diagonal members 24 and the members 25 is adapted to be raised and lowered by a fluid motor plunger 30. The

plunger 30 is mounted upon a piston 3i received within a fluid-containing cylinder 32.

Latch means are provided for engaging the shoulder 33 of the plunger 30 so as to maintain the plunger in elevated position. Such means are shown best in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. In the structure illustrated, a metal bar 34 is guided in members 35 and 36 for movement toward the plunger 30, the forward end of the bar 34 being adapted to engage below the shoulder 33 to maintain plunger 30 in elevated position. Tension spring 31 normally urges the latch 34 toward the shoulder 33. In order to effect the release of the latching bar 34, we provide a fluid cylinder 38 provided with a piston 39. The latch 34 has a depending leg 40 which is welded or otherwise secured to the piston 39.

In order to supply fluid to the cylinders 32 and 3 8, we provide in the front panel or wall of the range a fluid cylinder 4! equipped with a movable piston 42 mounted on a threaded shaft 43. The thread on shaft 43 is in the form of a helical wire secured to the shaft and engaging corresponding threads in the piston 42. The shaft 43 extends through the front panel of the range and is fixed to an operating knob 44. In the bottom of the cylinder 4! is mounted a key 45 which engages a slot in the piston 42 to prevent rotation of the member 42 during reciprocation. At each end of the cylinder 4| is an outlet equipped with a conduit leading to one of the cylinders 32 or 38. For example, the outlet 46 3 may lead through its conduit to the latch release cylinder 38 while the outlet 41 may lead through its conduit to the cylinder 32.

Any suitable fluid may be employed. For example, a non-combustible liquid for filling the cylinders 4|, 38 and 32, together with their connecting conduits, is found to be very satisfactory. It will be understood, however, that other liquids or fluids may be employed.

In the operation of the structure shown in; Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the knob 44 may be rotated so as to advance the piston 42 toward the outlet 41. This operation causes the piston. 3.! in cylinder 32 to rise, and plunger 30 elevates the frame consisting of the members 24 and 25'. The spider arms 24 raise the rods 23 and thereby the disks or grates 22. end of the cylinder 41 increases the quantity of fluid in the opposite end of the cylinder, and correspondingly reduces that within the cylinder 38. This action reduces the pressure upon piston 39, and tension spring 31 is thus able to draw the latch bar 34 toward plunger 30 where it seats below the shoulder 33. Thus, the plunger 30 and the structure it supports, including the grates 22, are maintained in elevated position.

Simultaneously, with the above-operation, latorally-extending strap 25 is elevated, and this causes the forward end of lever 25 to depress the valve plunger 2 l. Downward movement on valve plunger 21 opens the valve and allows the gas to flow to the manifold :41

When the cooking operation is completed and it is desired to restore the grates to their original position, the knob 44 is turned in the opposite direction so as to move piston 42 toward the outlet' 46. This causes plunger 36 to move downwardly carrying the fixed support and the fixed posts 23 thereon. This operation increases the pressure within the cylinder 38 and piston 39 then retracts the latch lever 34. Simultaneously, with the release of fluid pressure in cylinder 32, the weight of the parts resting upon piston stem causes the stem, together with piston 3|, to fall, and therewith the grates 22.

The fluid motor structure illustrated takes up a very minimum of space and may be operated from a front panel of the range. It permits effectively cooperation of the elevating and latching members so that they work together with automatic latching and accurate releasing of the latching mechanism.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the structure is very similar to that already described except that the pressure of the fuel gas itself is employed as the means for lifting the grate structures. In the illustration given in Figs. '1 and 8, the grates 48 are supported upon rods 49 resting upon the outer ends of levers 50 and 5!. The lever 59 is pivotally supported upon standard 52, and the lever 5! is pivotallysupported upon standard 53. The inner ends of levers 59 and 51' engage the levers 54 which are pivotally mounted upon standards 55. The inner ends of levers 54 rest upon a disk 55 mounted upon a plunger 51. The plunger or stem 51 is provided with looking shoulders 58.

A casing 59 is provided below the disk 55 and the stem 51 passesthrough an opening in the casing 59. Within the casing 59 is mounted. a flexible diaphragm 60 carrying a plate. 6| to which the stem 51 is secured. The. flexible member 60 provides with the bottom wall of the casing 59 a gas chamber. 62. Communicating with the chamber 62 is a gas pipe. 63' communicating The forcing of fluid through one 4 with the manifold 64. The flow of gas through pipe 63 is controlled by a knob or handle 65. Knob 14 controls the flow of gas to the oven. Button 11 controls the release of spring lock 10 through the flexible wire 13.

Leading from the chamber 62 is a small outlet pipe 56 which connectswith the pilot burner 68. The conduit 61 also leads to a pilot burner 58 which burns constantly and joins with the gas supply line 69 at a point before it reaches the manifold 64.

In order to latch the plunger or stem 51 in its elevated position, we provide a latch member 10 which is guided within a bracket member 1|. A spring 12 normally urges the latch 10 toward the stem or plunger 51. A pull wire 13 leads to a button 11 outside of the range to permit the manual withdrawal of the latch member 10. Within the manifold 64 is a valve 15 controlled by a valve plunger 16.

In the operation of the structure, when the user desires to elevate the grates 48, he turns the knob 65 to open the valve and gas is thus allowed to flow through line 63 into the fluid chamber 62. The flexible diaphragm 6!] is thus raised and the stem 51 elevates the member 56. The raising of member 55 causes, through the intermediate bars 54, the raising of the outer ends of bars 55 and 5!, andthereby the rods 49 and grates 48 are elevated. At the same time, the bar 55 produces an upward motion of the plunger 16 and opens the valve 15, thereby allowing gas to flow into the manifold 54. As the stem 51 moves upwardly, the latch 10, which is urged inwardly by spring 12, moves under the shoulder 58 and thus locks the stem 51 in elevated position. By reason of the inner connecting bars, grates 48 are also maintained in elevated position. When the gratesare positively latched in their elevated position, the knob 65 is turned back to its original position,,thus closing the valve in line 63 and preventing any further gas from entering the chamber. In the meantime, the gas within chamber 62 flows outwardly through the pipe 65 to the conduit 61- leading to theconstantly burning pilot burner 68 and the pressure-withinchamber 62 is thus reduced. The diaphragm 65. and the stem 51, however, remain in elevated position by reason of the latch engagement between member 10 and shoulder 58.

When it is desired to lower the grates. 48,. the pull wire 13 may be drawn (by pulling knob 11) .so as to retract latch 10,. and. stem 51 then falls downwardly under itsweight and the weight of the parts thereabove. At the same time, the grates 48 move downwardly to their original position. As the outer end of. bar 5! moves downward, it permits the plunger 16 to move downward by gravity closin the valve 1.5, thus preventing gasv to pass into the manifold 64 and acting as an. automatic safety device for all top burners.

While in the foregoing specification we have set forththe structure in considerable detail for the purpose. of illustrating two embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that suchdetails are given for the purpose of illustration and may be modified widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

I. In a range, a frame: providing, atop wall provided with burner openings, burners aligned with said openings, gratesm'ovably mounted over said burners and substantially closin said openings when in lowermost position, a fluid motor, means actuated by said fluid motor having a plunger for elevating said grates, manually-operated means accessible at the front of said range for actuating said fluid motor, and movable latch means actuated by the plunger automatically operative on completion of a grate-elevating operation releasably to secure said grates in an elevated position and operative on reverse movement of the plunger to release the grates and allow them to drop to closed position.

2. In a range, a frame providing a top wall provided with a plurality of burner openings, burners aligned with said openings, grates over said burners, a spider frame below said burners, rods secured to said spider frame and extending through said burners to support said grates, a fluid motor, means actuated by said motor for elevating said spider frame, and manually-operated means accessible outside of said range for actuating said fluid motor.

3. In a range, a frame, a burner supported at the top thereof, a grate over said burner, a fluid motor, means actuated by said motor for elevating said grate, spring-urged latchin means for locking said grate in an elevated position, a second fluid motor, and means actuated by said second fluid motor for rendering said latching means inoperative.

4. In a range, a frame, a burner supported at the top thereof, a grate over said burner, a fluid motor, means actuated by said motor for elevating said grate, spring-urged latching means for locking said grate in an elevated position, a second fluid motor, means actuated by said second fluid motor for rendering said latching means inoperative, and manual means accessible from outside of the range for selectively actuating said motors.

5. In a range, a frame providinga top Wall having a plurality of burner openings, burners aligned with said openings, grates over said burners, a spider frame below said burners, rods secured to said spider frame and extending through said burners to support said grates, a fluid motor, means actuated by said motor for elevating said spider frame, manually operable means accessible outside of said range for actuating said fluid motor, and latch means actuated by said elevating means operative on completion of a grate-elevating operation releasably to secure said grates in an elevated position.

6. In a range, a frame providing a top wall having a plurality of burner openings, burners aligned with said openings, grates over said burners, a spider frame below said burners, rods secured to said spider frame and extending through said burners to support said grates, a fluid motor, means actuated by said motor for elevating said spider frame, manually operable means accessible outside of said fluid motor, and means actuated responsively to operation of said fluid motor for admitting fuel to the burner when the grates are elevated and for shutting off such fuel from the burner when the grates are retracted.

7. In a range, a frame providing a top wall having burner openings, burner aligned with said openings, grates movably mounted over said burners and substantially closing said openings when in lowered position, a fluid motor having a plunger, means actuated by said fluid motor for elevating said grates, manually operable means accessible at the front of said range for actuating said fluid motor, movable latch means actuated by the plunger automatically operative on completion of a grate-elevating operation releasably to secure said grates in an elevated position, reverse movement of said plunger being operative to release the grates and allow them to drop to closed position, and means actuated by said fluid motor operative to shut off the flow of fuel to the burners when the grates are lowered and to admit fuel to such burners when the grates are elevated.

8. In a range, a frame providing a top wall having a plurality of burner openings, burners aligned with said openings, grates over said burners, support means mounted below said burners, rods secured to said support means and extending through said burners to support said grates, a fluid motor, means actuated by said motor for elevating said support means, and manually operted means accessible outside of said range for actuating said fluid motor.

LEO E. MEN'DEL. FREDERICK J. PORT. CHARLES L. TURNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 985,038 Kennedy Feb. 21, 1911 990,102 Brewer Apr. 18, 1911 1,0 5,843 Stanley May 7, 1912 1,057,814 Erickson Apr. 1, 1913 1,127,652 Lindemann Feb. 9, 1915 1,484,805 Whalen Feb. 26, 1924 1,709,529 Heynis Apr. 16, 1929 2,007,679 Glynn July 9, 1935 2,429,638 McKellar Oct. 28, 1947 2,447,364 Renshaw Aug. 17, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 286,800 Germany July 24, 1917 485,854 Germany Nov. 7, 1929 323,530 Great Britain Jan. 1, 1930 158,766 Switzerland Mar. 1, 1933 

